METHOD, SAMPLE CARRIER, AND DEVICE FOR THE QUALITATIVE AND/OR QUANTITATIVE DETECTION OF PARTICLES IN A FLUID

• US 20160091435A1
• Filed: 09/28/2015
• Published: 03/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Grundfos Holding A/S (POUL DUE Jensen's FOND)
• Original Assignee: Grundfos Holding A/S (POUL DUE Jensen's FOND)
• Inventors: IVERSEN, Kre, DAHLQVIST, Mathis, SMITH, Christian Guldbk
• Granted Patent: US 9,885,665 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0654 Lenses; Optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/0205 by optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/0227 using imaging; using holography
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/06 Investigating concentration of particle suspensions by weighing G01N5/00; investigating sedimentation of particle suspensions G01N15/04; investigating individual particles G01N15/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/075 by optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1433 using image recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1434 Optical arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1463 using image analysis for extracting features of the particle
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1475 using image analysis for extracting features of the particle
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/0693 by optical means, e.g. by integrated nephelometry
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/0303 Optical path conditioning in cuvettes, e.g. windows; adapted optical elements or systems; path modifying or adjustment G01N21/031 - G01N21/15 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/51 inside a container, e.g. in an ampoule G01N21/53 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/53 within a flowing fluid, e.g. smoke
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/84 Systems specially adapted for particular applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/85 Investigating moving fluids or granular solids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/1893 using flow cells

Abstract

The device serves for the qualitative and quantitive detection of particles in a fluid and includes a light source (1), an optical sensor (2) and a sample carrier (4) which is arranged therebetween and which is for receiving fluid to be examined. The sample carrier is (4) movable relative at least to the sensor (2) and is connectable via a fluid inlet (9) to a conduit (11) for feeding the fluid, and via a fluid outlet (10) to a conduit (12) for the discharge of fluid. The sample carrier (4) is exchangeably arranged in a receiver of the device, so that this sample carrier can be replaced by another one in a rapid and simple manner when the sample carrier (4) is contaminated.

Claims

1. A device for a qualitative and/or quantitative detection of particles in a fluid, the device comprising:

a receiver;

a light source;

an optical sensor; and

a sample carrier, arranged between the light source and the optical sensor, for receiving fluid to be examined, wherein the sample carrier is movable relative at least to the sensor and is connectable via a fluid inlet to a conduit for feeding the fluid, and via a fluid outlet to a conduit for the discharge of fluid, and wherein the sample carrier is exchangeably arranged in the receiver.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the sample carrier comprises a closed channel formed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet conduit connections, said closed channel, at least in sections, comprising a transparent wall on two opposite sides.

3. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a blocking devices for blocking at least one of the conduit for feeding the fluid and the conduit for the discharge of fluid.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises the conduit for feeding the fluid and the conduit for the discharge of fluid and each of the conduit for feeding the fluid and the conduit for the discharge of fluid extend from below the receiver into the sample carrier.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the light source and the optical sensor are arranged in a manner movable relative to the sample carrier in steps.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein an optical axis formed between the light source and optical sensor is at an angle between 4°

to 8°

to a perpendicular through-beaming direction through the sample carrier.

7. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a position means provided between the receiver and the sample carrier permitting only a conductive connection at least one of to the fluid inlet and to the fluid outlet when the sample carrier is arranged in a designated position in the receiver.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the position means comprise a first switch which switches when reaching the designated position of the sample carrier in the receiver.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein a positive-fit means is provided between the receiver and sample carrier for ensuring a designated arrangement of the sample carrier in the receiver.

10. A device according to claim 7, wherein a pivotable bar is provided to fix the sample carrier with a positive fit in a designated arrangement in the receiver.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the position means comprises:

a first switch which switches when reaching the designated position of the sample carrier in the receiver; and

a second switch which switches when the bar is in the position locking the sample carrier in the receiver.

12. A sample carrier for a device for a qualitative and/or quantitative detection of particles in a fluid, the device comprising a receiver, a light source, an optical sensor and the sample carrier, arranged between the light source and the optical sensor, for receiving fluid to be examined, wherein the sample carrier is movable relative at least to the sensor and is connectable via a fluid inlet to a conduit for feeding the fluid, and via a fluid outlet to a conduit for the discharge of fluid, and wherein the sample carrier is exchangeably arranged in the receiver, wherein the sample carrier comprises a carrier frame which is closed off by transparent plates, with one of the transparent plates being at each of two sides.

13. A sample carrier according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the transparent plates is arranged in a set-back manner with respect to a peripheral frame part.

14. A sample carrier according to claim 12, wherein the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are arranged next to one another in an insertion direction.

15. A sample carrier according to claim 12, wherein at least one channel-forming rib, which preferably forms part of the carrier frame is provided between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.

16. A sample carrier according to claim 12, further comprising a projection at an insertion side, the projection being arranged out-of-center and forming a positive-fit means for positioning.

17. A sample carrier according to claim 12, wherein the carrier frame comprises a plastic injection molded part which is fixedly and sealingly connected to the transparent plates with a material fit by way of welding.

18. A sample carrier according to claim 12, wherein in the region of the inlets and outlets each comprise a recess in a portion of the frame part, each recess being filled with an elastic and seal-forming plastic.

19. A sample carrier according to claim 12, wherein the frame comprises a grip piece, which forms part of the frame, on one side.

20. A sample carrier according to claim 12, wherein the sample carrier has an essentially longitudinally extended and flat cuboid shape with flat sides with the transparent plates and with longitudinally extended sides arranged in an insertion direction.

21. A sample carrier according to claim 12, further comprising a closed channel formed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet conduit connections, the closed channel being on an inner side of the transparent walls and being provided with at least one of a coating and a surface structuring which prevents the formation of deposits.

22. A sample carrier according to claim 21, further comprising at least one marking provided between the transparent walls, on an inner side of the wall, in a region for an optical detection of the fluid.

23. A sample carrier according to claim 22, wherein the closed channel, in the region for the optical detection of the fluid, has a channel cross section with a width that is greater than a height, in a perpendicular through-beaming direction, and is 1.5 to 3 times as large.

24. A method for detecting particles in a fluid with a device comprising a receiver, a light source, an optical sensor and a sample carrier arranged between the light source and the optical sensor, for receiving fluid to be examined, wherein the sample carrier is movable relative at least to the sensor and is connectable via a fluid inlet to a conduit for feeding the fluid, and via a fluid outlet to a conduit for the discharge of fluid, and wherein the sample carrier is exchangeably arranged in the receiver, wherein the sample carrier comprises a carrier frame which is closed off by transparent plates, with one of the transparent plates being at each of two sides, the method comprising the steps of:

bringing the sample carrier into a designated position in the device;

introducing the fluid to be examined into the sample carrier via the feed conduit;

shutting off the discharge conduit after the build-up of pressure within the sample carrier;

closing the feed conduit; and

allowing a dwell time to pass and effecting the optical detection of the sample.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein after the optical detection the feed and discharge conduits are opened, whereupon the fluid located in the sample carrier is replaced and the cycle is repeated beginning with the step of shutting off the discharge conduit after the build-up of pressure within the sample carrier.